Check Out Auriyan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Auriyan.

Hi Auriyan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Let’s start from the very beginning the day that I was born. My father tells this story every year for my birthday of how I was born on the day and around the time that Aaliyah passed away. He always says that he knew I was born to be a singer. Another crazy thing is that my name came from a music video, the song “What You Want” by Mase ft. Total. Literally in the first scene there’s a woman who picks up the phone and says, “Hey its Auriyan”. Music has been in my life even before I took my first breath. My mom would always play baby Mozart while I was in her womb and even when I was born. My grandmother also would tell me stories about how as a toddler I would scream a lot to the point where they thought something was wrong with me, but I was just preparing my voice for where I am now.

Like most artists I started singing in the church. I was about 5 or 6 singing in the senior choir with my great-grandmother, grandmother, and auntie. I did my first talent show when I was in the 2nd grade with my mom. We sung “Wind Beneath My Wings” and received a standing ovation. From that moment I knew music was what I wanted to do.

I went on to attend Davidson Fine Arts in my hometown, Augusta, Georgia. That is where I developed my skills in classical performance as well as jazz. I fell in love with jazz so much that I decided to study jazz in college at Kennesaw State University under the amazing jazz vocalist Karla Harris and jazz pianist Tyrone Jackson. While attending Kennesaw I made my introduction into the Atlanta jazz scene through performing at Ray’s on the River and Ray’s in the City with Tyrone Jackson. I did my first show at TenATL which led me to more performance opportunities in the city. I have performed alongside many incredible musicians and vocalists in Atlanta, such as Tasha Rene, Kenny Banks Jr, Larry Wilson, Justin Raines, Brien Andrews, Tyrone Jackson, Sam Skelton, Zach Wilson and many more.

After college I was living in the city for about a year before I was offered the opportunity to attend Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. I was there for a year and I earned my Masters in Contemporary Performance and Production in July 2025. While I was studying and living in Spain I had a residency at a venue there called La Vitti. Then not too long after I graduated I started a jam session called the SoNeo Sessions at a venue there called Burning House. Which became one of the biggest jam in the Valencia. It was such an honor to be able to bring that Georgia soul, gospel, and jazz to Spain. I performed alongside incredible musicians Gavin Rushing (Macon, GA), Khalil Abdul-Wakeel (Maryland), and Chris Attwell (UK). I was apart of an amazing gospel concert led by Brittany Kurgat that was featured in the 100 years Evangelical Focus Article. When I tell you I have never seen that many people in a church the pews were full and people were standing in the back and on both sides of the church. It was such a beautiful night.

About 4 months after graduation I returned home to be with family and had to say goodbye to the woman who introduced me to all the artists that I love today my grandmother. I have to say something about her because she supported me in every way, she taught me how to trust myself, my ideas, and when I get overwhelmed or nervous before a show just take a second to breathe and repeat “come holy spirit” 3 times. That woman centered me.

I spent sometime home which was difficult for me at first but it gave me a chance to come back to where it all started. I have had the chance to perform in some of the biggest events and festivals in my hometown and connect with so many amazing artists and musicians in Augusta like AE the Cool, Jkeys, and L4 Jazz. L4 headed by Lamar Morgan gave me the opportunity to do my first show back home which meant a lot.

Now after being home and back in the states for 8 months I am headed off to Quito, Ecuador as a professor and artist in residence at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. This school is one of the top Universities in South America and is also one of Berklee’s Global Partners. God has really been moving in my life and I just can’t thank him enough. I am super excited for the growth and relationships that this next chapter of my life will bring.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Living in your truth – I grew up surrounded by love and a lot of support musically, but there were some experiences that I had as a kid that caused me to not trust myself or my ideas. I was a child that wanted to please everyone and make everyone happy because I grew up seeing how alot of the women around me do the same. I also wanted everyone to like me which is common for children in middle and high school, you want to fit in. My family was amazing in teaching me the importance of family and love but no one spoke to my individuality. No one taught me that being different is actually a superpower, so I always followed the crowd. Stuck to doing what everyone told be to do and what everyone told me to be. To the point where I didn’t know who I was or wanted to be for myself. So in college I went on to discover who is Auriyan. I even step outside of my traditional religious beliefs because you can’t explore or discover your identity until you know God and I mean truly know God. I wanted to be so close to that source and I found it in the music. That pure creative energy will give you so many answers that you’ve been looking for. In that space where time dosen’t exist, in the flow, in the unknown. I found love, grace, and peace. Most may say I’m crazy for believing this but music is so spiritual what we put out into the world can either help or hurt us. My mission is to help so I am determined at any cost to live in the truth that God gave to me.

Overcoming fear – My number one goal in life is to overcome all fear. Something clicked not too long ago that fear is all about control. We want to control everything and that never ends well. I believe some of the most unhappiest people are probably the most controlling and I know first hand because I can be that way sometimes. When I am trying to control everything around me, I’m stressed, overthinking and I don’t want to be bothered. I tell you when you learn to just let go and breathe through the motions of life fear has nowhere to live so it’s easier to take those risks. It’s as simple as that literally when you start to let go of control fear leaves the room.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a artist, singer, songwriter, composer, performer, band leader.

I am still working on this myself but I aim to help artists find their artistic identities and live in there truth.

I am known for my powerhouse vocals and being able to captivate any audience you put in front of me.

I am most proud of the fact that I made it this far as an artists and never gave up. I thought about it but I wouldn’t be able to live with that.

What sets me apart is that I’m just me. I aim to set trends not follow them. Providing amazing live experiences is my forte and I don’t believe there is enough respect for live performers in this generation, so my goal is to keep it alive.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Be on the look out for new music! It’s coming I promise lol.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auriyansoneo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auriyansoneo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AuriyanSoNe0